Stating this here today, Punjab Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal said that for this purpose, applications for grant of contract carriage permits have invited by the State Transport Commissioner.

He added that 20 applications have been received from nine companies, for the four districts. These companies have been asked to introduce a maximum of 50 radio cabs within six months in each city. The government has specified that a minimum of 10 radio cabs should be introduced in each city within two months, failing which the offer can be cancelled. The service is likely to be operational by March 2009, the minister said.

According to the minister, the fare for the radio cabs have been fixed too. An air-conditioned cab can charge Rs 15 per km within the municipal limits of the city. Within the radius of 40 kms of the city, the charges will be Rs 16 per km.